Sunny side up vs over easy: what's the difference? Here's a breakdown and how to cook eggs to perfection every time.

Sunny side up vs over easy eggs

Sunny side up vs over easy: what's the difference in these two methods of cooking eggs? The difference is a matter of seconds, but it results in two very different breakfast experiences! We're egg experts over here (egg-sperts? sorry), so we've got all the answers to this breakfast conundrum. Of course, for a the home cook it's of less grave importance than for a short order cook in a diner. But it's important to know the difference in these popular egg styles!

Sunny side up vs over easy eggs: the differences

What's the difference between these two methods of cooking eggs? It's a matter of 30 seconds and a flip:

  • What are sunny side up eggs?Sunny side up eggs are eggs cooked until the whites are solid but the yolk is still runny. Usually it takes about 2 to 3 minutes to cook on medium low heat. The round yellow yolk gives a sun-like appearance, hence the name.
  • What are over easy eggs? Over easy eggs are cooked on both sides, but the yolk remains runny. Make sunny side up eggs, then flip and cook 30 seconds with the yolk side down. On the plate, the top of over easy eggs appear white. When punctured with a fork, the liquid egg yolk runs out.

Want to make them? Jump to the recipe below.

Sunny side up vs over easy

Why eat sunny side up vs over easy?

Is there any advantage to eating sunny side up vs over easy eggs? Here's what we think:

  • Both types of eggs result in a runny yolk. It's simply a matter of personal preference.
  • Visually, sunny side up looks more appealing. The bright yellow of the yolk in sunny side up is more visually appealing than over easy. That makes it the more common type of egg to use on top of salads, polenta, bibimbap, and more.

What about over medium and over hard?

There are two more main ways to make a fried egg: over medium and over hard. It's simply a gradient of how much the egg yolk is cooked. Here's the differences between all the ways to fry an egg:

  • Sunny side up: Cook 2 to 3 minutes and don't flip.
  • Over easy: Cook sunny side up, then flip and cook 30 seconds. The yolk is runny.
  • Over medium: Cook sunny side up, then flip and cook 1 minute. The yolk is jammy and slightly runny.
  • Over hard: Cook sunny side up, then flip and cook 2 minutes until the yolk is fully cooked.
Over easy eggs

More egg recipes

There are so many ways to cook and serve eggs! Here are a few more if you're looking for breakfast ideas:

  • Make a perfect Fried Egg Sandwich
  • Try Poached Eggs
  • Go for jammy Soft Boiled Eggs
  • Make a colorful Vegetable Scramble
  • Try all our top 10 egg recipes for breakfast

Print

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Description

Here's how to make sunny side up vs over easy eggs! There's a slight difference between the two: here's how to make each method to perfection.

  • ½ tablespoon butter (or neutral oil for dairy-free)
  • 2 fresh eggs (fresh is best*)
  1. In a large cast iron or non-stick skillet, melt ½ tablespoon butter over medium low heat until starting to foam (eggs are best on low to medium low heat**).
  2. Add the eggs and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt and a few grinds black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the white is firm but the yolk is still runny (do not flip).
  3. For sunny side up eggs, serve immediately.For over easy eggs, flip and cook 20 to 30 more seconds where the is still liquid. Remove from the pan, flip it over onto a plate and serve.

Notes

*Fresh eggs are best for frying because the whites hold their shape. The whites on older eggs tend to spread: simply use a spatula to pull back the egg whites towards the middle (it just won't look as pretty!).

**The slower the better with eggs: they can easily get overcooked. Note that if you're cooking a second batch, you may need to lower the heat to avoid overcooking the egg since the skillet is already hot.

  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Eggs
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Sunny side up vs over easy

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.